On January 1st, the new “assault weapons” ban in the People’s Republik of Boulder took effect. Independence Institute leader and Boulder resident Jon Caldera, having previously announced his intention to do precisely that, is refusing to comply. Excerpt:

My strong belief in my Second Amendment rights is core to who I am. I know that is not understood by many today, however I am not asking to be understood. I’m asking to be left alone.

I am asking for progressives who run city government to live up to their assertion of tolerance and just let me be.

Because I own a long gun with a pistol grip and a detachable magazine, I had to the end of December to self-identify to the police, present myself for investigation and my gun for inspection, pay fees in order to receive a police-issued permission slip, all to avoid jail time, monetary penalties, and the confiscation and destruction of my gun.

I have never been convicted or even charged with a crime in my 54 years of life, but this week I became a criminal. I am no different then potentially thousands of other Boulderites who cannot bring themselves to submit to this ugliness. And yes, I know, most people today don’t see this as ugly or intolerant, but simply a reasonable thing to do about this “epidemic.” After all, something needs to be done.

For publicly stating that I will not comply, my daughter has been targeted at her Boulder school, the one with posters celebrating tolerance and diversity all over the walls. My refusal to submit has been commented on by teachers in front of their classes. She has been ganged up on by students and bullied because “her father is a murderer.” She is worried that I will be taken to jail. As a single dad to her and her handicapped brother, I have to admit I’m worried about that too.

I’ve said it before, but the four words “I Will Not Comply” are some of the most powerful words in the English language. Our own Denver suburb of Aurora has not yet given in to this nitwittery, but if they were to do so, I’d have to join Mr. Caldera and the legion of “gun toting hippies” in refusing to comply.

I can’t say as I’m optimistic about all this. Local and state governments (see New Jersey, California and Washington for recent examples) will continue passing stupid laws, and more and more people will join the ranks of those who will not comply. I’m looking for a way this can end without violence, but I’m damned if I can see one.